Ernestine Williams

ERNESTINE (BOOZE) WILLIAMS was born October 1, 1935 in Tuscaloosa, Alabama. She was the second child born to the late Bodie Booze Sr. and Eula Booze (affectionately known to family as Papa and Mama). The Booze Family, in search of a better life, left Tuscaloosa, AL and moved north to Lackawanna, NY when she was ten years old.

 Ernestine had a strong personality and a great love for her family. The bond she had with her siblings was amazing; She’d never let anyone say or do anything to them. She was a fighter and a protector; they all were.

 Ernestine attended the Church of God in Christ, under the direction of Elder Anderson on Ingham Avenue weekly with  Mama and her siblings. She received her education from the Lackawanna Public School System and graduated from Lackawanna High School. Receiving vocational training in the medical field, she went on to receive a certificate as a Home Health Aide.  Holding down jobs in various agencies across Western New  York, Ernestine moved to Ohio for a short time and continued her trade.

 Ernestine was known as a sharply dressed woman; Ernestine loved her fashion. Her hair was always laid and everything always matched- She was always dressed to the nine! Nails like no other, her trademark: long and swirled and one of a kind!

Ernestine enjoyed cooking her favorite dish, meatloaf. Funny thing, she could not make Kool-Aid. The kids would say, “Are we having pancakes with that syrup because it was super sweet.” She was very outgoing, loved to travel, and enjoyed playing cards. Her favorite game was Pinochle; She was good at strategizing.

 In her time of need her granddaughter and best friend, Carlotta Thompson, took on the task of playing guardian angel for her beloved grandmother. She was there every step of the way.

 Ernestine lived for 81 years and enjoyed her life. She received the greatest grace of eternal peace, where there is no sadness and tears, into the arms of the Creator on May 19, 2017. She leaves to cherish her memories two sons, Larry and Keith Williams; one brother, Bodie (Barbara) Booze, Jr; 17 grandchildren, Lisa, Tracy, Carlotta, Petrina, Dominique, Keith Jr, Kasha, Mesha, Tesha, Courtney, Thomas, Janay, Romello, Malik, Lashera, Lanika and Lakeisha; and a host of great-grandchildren, great great-grandchildren, nieces, nephews, cousins and loving friends.

Ernestine is preceded in death by her parents, Bodie Sr and Eula Booze; her sister, Mary Jane; four children, Angelo, Terry Jean, Nadine “Frankie” and Johnnie; one grandson, Ronnie and one nephew, Vincent. What a joyful reunion they will have when they meet!

Memorial Services will be held Friday, June 2, 2017, 11am at Brian K Lewis Funeral Home, 2528 Bailey Ave.

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